help how drill steel plate with 4 ins wood above

[arch007]

installing a windlass but the bowsprit is 2ins and then the deck is 2 ins fiberglass sandwich before I get to the steel plate.

the problem is I cannot find a cobalt drill bit long enough to reach the steel plate.

what do I do ?

[fourlyons]

How many holes do you need to drill? A fresh, quality HSS (high speed steel) bit with plenty of cutting oil will do the job just fine.

[Spot]

Any hope of tying off the mast and pulling the bowsprit and drilling the plate onshore and using it as a template to drill everything else? What is the bowsprit made of? Will you be over-drilling and filling the holes w/ epoxy and re-drilling to protect the core?

[steamgoat]

Get one from Mc Master Carr, they are almost next day delivery.

[Scubaseas]

Get an "air craft" drill bit. They can be had from 8" to 16". Cobalt or titanium if drilling stainless. Go slow and keep bit lubed.

[Franziska]

Get a piece of rod material or a bolt of the same diameter as your short high quality drill.
Place it in an angle of aluminum one after the other touching end to end, ask any local welder to weld the two together.

The angle is for alignment only. Aluminum won't get attached to steel in the short welding process.

Should cost next to nothing.
Just in case, have them weld two, so you have a spare.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by arch007

installing a windlass but the bowsprit is 2ins and then the deck is 2 ins fiberglass sandwich before I get to the steel plate.

the problem is I cannot find a cobalt drill bit long enough to reach the steel plate.

what do I do ?

Amazon.

[Allied39]

Simply drive to home dopey. They have long high speed steel drill bits. No crazy price.
Nothing you have said indicates you need anything other than HSS.

In case you dont know;
Drill bit sharp
Faster you drill the more heat you create the faster your drill bit will dull.
Lubrication is the key to happiness......a drop or two of oil on the bit when you get to steel.

Too easy.